As many as 8967 infants have died in Chhattisgarh during April 2016 to January this year, the Legislative Assembly was told today.

In a written reply to a question by the Congress MLA Umesh Patel, who represents Kharsiya seat, the Health and Family Welfare Minister Ajay Chandrakar stated that 8967 infants died in the state between April 2016 and January 2017.

As per the Sample Registration System (SRS), the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) in the state was 41 in 2015-16. However, the official figure of IMR in 2016-17 was not available as the (financial) year is yet to get completed, stated the reply.

The official assessment of IMR is not done district-wise.

Meanwhile, replying to a query by the Congress MLA Motilal Dewangan, the Health Minister said Malariahas claimed lives of 210 people while 98 people have died due todiarrhoea during the last two years.

"97 people died due to Malaria and 20 due to diarrhoea in the state in 2015-16. While Malaria claimed lives of 113 people, 78 people died due to diarrhoea in 2016-17 (as on January 31, 2017)," stated the reply.

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